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'We were crap': England star looks back on 'journey' to World Cup bronze
By Josh Raisey
There are "plenty of things to be hopeful for in the future" for England according to loosehead Joe Marler after they finished third at the World Cup on Friday with a 26-23 win over Argentina in the bronze final.
The 33-year-old, who is reported to be retiring at the end of the season, was not selected for the match against the Pumas, but was on the field after the match to collect his bronze medal where briefly spoke to ITV Rugby.
The Harlequin looked back on the last five months with England and the journey they have taken to become a "new England". His head coach Steve Borthwick has mentioned this World Cup that the England coaching team only came together in June, compared to other set-ups that have had four years together, and Marler alluded to that.
Looking back on that five month journey, which included only one win from four in their warm-ups and a first ever defeat to Fiji, Marler described the side as "crap". But after only losing one match from seven at the World Cup - a narrow one point loss to then world champions South Africa - Marler feels the future is bright for England.
"I just want to say on behalf of the team, to all the fans that have supported us out here and back at home, it's been phenomenal," the 88-cap veteran said on the Stade de France pitch.
"It's been a brilliant, brilliant journey to come five months ago where we were crap, to start building a new England. There's plenty of things to be hopeful for in the future, so get behind the team moving forward."
Borthwick echoed these sentiments after the match as well, as he too looked back on the journey his side have made. The head coach is equally as buoyant about what lies ahead for England despite a spate of players moving on after the World Cup.
"This coaching team only came together in June and to knit together a programme super fast - I couldn't be more proud but I hope the players have enjoyed it," he said.
"I'm delighted for the players, who have worked so hard. We won six games out of seven and lost one game by one point to the world champions, which shows the progress of the team.
"I always believed we would be right [for the tournament]. Some challenging decisions were made - but we were clear that the World Cup isn't played in August.
"The age profile of the squad - there are always players who decide their time has come to an end at the World Cup - is strong. I think there's excitement about those players. We know there are areas we are thinner than others and I need to work to find some depth in those positions.
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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